NORTON SHORES — Muskegon native Justin Abdelkader, now a member of the Detroit Red Wings, will visit his old school Thursday — Mona Shores’ Churchill Elementary.

And, no doubt to the thrill of every hockey fan in the place, he’s bringing along a couple of teammates — Nicklas Lidstrom, Tomas Holmstrom, Patrick Eaves and Drew Miller.

“I’m looking forward to this,” Churchill Principal Mark Platt said.

He said school officials plan to have the players autograph the basketball backboard in the gym.

It’s all part of the Red Wings’ third annual community relations tour. The visit to Churchill Elementary, 961 Porter, Norton Shores, is not open to the public.

Plans call for an assembly in the gym for the entire school, followed by a question-and-answer session.

After that, Red Wings’ representative Christy Hammond will present the school with a Red Wings jersey autographed by the five players, Platt said.

Platt said the jersey most likely would be framed and put on display at the school.

Each grade level will also have the opportunity to have their picture taken with the players, Platt said.

Before the local visit, Abdelkader and Miller will begin their day with a morning visit to Sparrow Hospital Children’s Center in Lansing. Abdelkader and Miller both played hockey at Michigan State University.

While that is going on, Lidstrom, Holmstrom and Eaves will be visiting the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans.

The group will then meet at Churchill Elementary for the noon-1:30 p.m. visit.

Abdelkader graduated from Mona Shores High School and played three seasons at Michigan State. He has played 54 regular-season and 21 playoff games with the Red Wings since 2008.

Lidstrom, the team captain and six-time winner of the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s top defenseman, is entering his 19th year with the Wings. He has appeared in more than 1,600 Red Wing games. Holmstrom, a native of Pitea, Sweden, has played more than 1,000 games with the Red Wings and is a 14-year pro. Miller and Eaves both are entering their second season for Detroit.